Shrub rose plant named ‘BAIief’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of landscape shrub rose plant is provided which abundantly forms on a substantially continuous basis in clusters attractive double deep pink blossoms with a white eye. As the Blossoms mature, they fade to an attractive range of pale pink to hot pink. The blossoms also display a slight sweet rose fragrance. The plant exhibits a small, dense compact and bushy growth habit, attractive semi-glossy medium green foliage, and good tolerance to Black Spot and Powdery Mildew. The attractive medium green semi-glossy foliage contrasts nicely with the deep pink blossom coloration. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in parks and gardens. The plant performs well in front of a border, as a low hedge, or in a container.

Botanical commercial classification: Rosa hybrida/Shrub Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: ‘BAIief’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida landscape shrub rose plant was createdat Yamhill, Oreg., U.S.A., during 1997 by artificial pollination whereintwo parents were crossed which previously had been studied in the hopethat they would contribute the desired characteristics. The femaleparent (i.e., the seed parent) was the Miniature ‘TRObwich’ variety(non-patented in the United States). The ‘TRObwich’ variety sometimes isknown as the ‘Simon Robinson’ variety. The male parent (i.e., the pollenparent) was the Miniature ‘JACcasp’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,719).The ‘JACcasp’ variety sometimes is known as the ‘Happy Trails’ variety.The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:‘TRObwich’×‘Happy Trails’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and plants wereobtained which were physically and biologically different from eachother. Selective study resulted in the identification during 1999 of asingle plant of the new variety having the distinctive ornamentalcharacteristics hereafter described.

It was found that the new variety of the present invention:

-   -   (a) exhibits a compact and bushy growth habit,    -   (b) forms a substantially continuous basis in clusters        attractive double deep pink blossoms with a white eye,    -   (c) forms attractive semi-glossy medium green foliage,    -   (d) is highly tolerant to Black Spot and Powdery Mildew, and    -   (e) is particularly well suited for growing as attractive        ornamentation in parks and gardens.

As the blossoms mature, they fade to an attractive range of pale pink tohot pink.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry andcan be grown to advantage in the landscape where attractiveornamentation is desired. The pink blossoms contrast nicely with thesemi-glossy medium green foliage. The plant grows well in front of aborder, as a low hedge, or in a container. An attractive new shrub rosethat can be grown in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone Nos. 4 to 9 is provided.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from other varietiesincluding its ancestors. For instance, the ‘TRObwich’ variety formsmedium pink blossoms having a diameter of approximately 3 cm thatpossess 5 petals, and the ‘JACcasp’ variety forms medium pink verydouble blossoms having a diameter of approximately 4 cm and forms glossydark green foliage. The blossoms are much like those of ‘The Fairy’variety (non-patented in the United States) except the color is deeppink and an attractive white eye is present.

The new variety beginning in August 1998 has been found to undergoasexual propagation by budding on an understock and by the rooting ofcuttings. ‘Dr. Huey’ rootstock was used during the budding. Such asexualpropagation by these techniques at Yamhill, Oreg., U.S.A., St. Paul,Minn., U.S.A., and at Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.A., has shown that thecharacteristics of the new variety are stable and are strictlytransmissible by such asexual propagation from one generation toanother. Accordingly, the new variety reproduces true to type. The newvariety grows well on its own roots.

Initially the new plant was designated 97K-100. The new plant has beennamed the ‘BAIief’ variety, and currently is being marketed while usingthe GARDEN PATH, LITTLE MISCHIEF, and EASY ELEGANCE trademarks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this character,typical specimens of the new variety. The rose plants of the new varietyhad been propagated by the rooting of cuttings, were approximately twoand three years of age, and were being grown outdoors during the 2003and 2004 seasons at St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A., and at Yamhill, Oreg.,U.S.A.

FIG. 1 illustrates from a distance a mass of typical plants of the newvariety wherein the pink blossoms with a white eye and dense mediumgreen foliage are shown.

FIG. 2 illustrates a closer view of typical blossoms and foliage of thenew variety.

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional view of the typical pink blossoms ofthe new variety at various stages of maturity as well as the foliage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). Common color terms are tobe accorded their ordinary dictionary significance. The description isbased on the observation of two, three and four year-old plants whilegrown outdoors on their own roots during June 2003, at Yamhill Oreg.,U.S.A., and during July 2004 at St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A.

-   Botanical classification: Rosa hybrida, ‘BAIief’.-   Class: Landscape Shrub.-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—Approximately 50 to 60 cm at the end of the growing            season.        -   Width.—Approximately 60 cm on average at the end of the            growing season.        -   Habit.—Rounded, compact and bushy.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Young stems: Yellow-Green Group 144A suffused with            Greyed-Purple Group 187A and 187B. Adult wood: Yellow-Green            Group 146B with streaks of Greyed-Green Group 197A.        -   Thorns.—Size: approximately 0.3 cm in length on average.            Shape: generally triangular to slightly hooked. Quantity:            approximately 8 on average over a length of 5 cm. Color:            Red-Purple Group 59B and 59C when mature.        -   Texture.—Young stem: semi-glossy with sparse tiny thorns.            Adult wood: glabrous with bark-like ridges.-   Leaves:    -   -   Stipules.—Generally parallel with the auricle facing            outward, approximately 1.4 cm in length on average,            approximately 5 mm in width on average, and the coloration            is Green Group 143C with some Yellow Green on ridges on            either side of the center.        -   Auricles.—Size: approximately 4 mm in length on average, and            approximately 2 mm in width on average. Shape: generally            triangular with foliaceous appendages of approximately 2 mm            on the margin. Color: commonly between Green Group 137B and            137C.        -   Petioles.—Upper surface: Green Group 143A in coloration,            glabrous and somewhat flat with a central valley. Under            surface: Yellow-Green Group 144B in coloration, and bears            some small prickles of approximately 1 mm in length. Length:            commonly approximately 1.4 cm on average. Diameter: commonly            approximately 1.2 mm on average.        -   Size.—Length: commonly approximately 8.5 cm for a            five-leaflet leaf. Width: commonly approximately 4.5 cm for            a five-leaflet leaf.        -   Leaflets.—Number: 3, 5 (most often), and 7. Shape: generally            obovate to elliptic with a rounded base and an acuminate            tip. Margin: serrulate. Texture: bears a semi-glossy finish.            Length: approximately 2.0 to 2.75 cm on average. Width:            approximately 1.25 to 1.75 cm on average. General            appearance: medium green with a semi-glossy surface when            mature. Color (young foliage): Upper surface: Yellow-Green            Group 146A and 146B commonly with a lighter central valley            of Green Group 138C. Under surface: Yellow-Green Group 146C.            Color (adult foliage): Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group            146A and 146B with a lighter central valley of Green Group            138C. Under surface: Yellow-Green Group 146C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers.—Commonly approximately 28 blooms on            average in a cluster per lateral stem.        -   Peduncle.—Glabrous, relatively stiff, approximately 2.4 cm            in length on average, approximately 1.5 mm in diameter on            average, and between Yellow-Green Group 144B and 144C            suffused with Red-Purple Group 59A on the upper side and            commonly covered with prickles of Red-Purple Group 59A on            the under side.        -   Sepals.—Upper surface: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B            suffused with Green Group 143A, and tomentose. Under            surface: Green Group 143A and lightening to Green Group 145B            at the margin. Size: approximately 1.25 cm in length. Apex:            apiculate and expands to a leaf shape with a main vein on            the three outer sepals, and pointed on the two inner sepals.            Foliaceous appendages: commonly present on the three outer            sepals with one or two appendages per side, approximately            1.3 mm in length on average with a pointed apex and a            ciliate margin, and the two inner sepals commonly possess            only a ciliate margin and a pointed apex.        -   Buds.—Shape: globose. Size: small. Length: approximately 2            cm on average. Diameter: approximately 1.75 cm on average.            Color: Upper petal surface: Red-Purple Group 60C. Under            petal surface: Red-Purple Group 60B.        -   Flower.—Arrangement: in a cluster or compound panicle.            Diameter: approximately 2.5 cm on average. Form: double.            Color (when opening begins): Upper surface: Red-Purple Group            57A blending with Red-Purple Group 64C and 64D, and White            Group 155B toward the basal petal spot. Under surface:            Red-Purple Group 57D blended with Red-Purple Group 57A at            the margin. Color (when blooming): Upper surface: Red-Purple            Group 66A blending with Red-Purple Group 67B and White Group            155D toward the basal petal spot. Under surface: between            Red-Purple Group 66C and 66D. Color (at end of blooming):            Upper surface: Red-Purple Group 67D blending with Red-Purple            Group 65A and 65B and with White Group 155D toward the basal            petal spot. Under surface: Red-Purple Group 65A blended with            Red-Purple Group 68A and 68B. Color (basal petal spot):            Yellow Group 2D. Fragrance: slight sweet rose. Lasting            quality: the blossoms commonly last approximately 4 to 7            days on average depending upon the temperature and sunlight            exposure. Petal number: commonly approximately 19 to 24 on            average under normal growing conditions. Petal size:            approximately 1.3 cm in length on average and approximately            0.9 cm in width on average. Petal shape: generally            heart-shaped. Petal texture: glabrous, smooth, and satiny.            Petal drop: commonly the petals detach cleanly at full            blossom maturity and do not detract from other young blooms.            Anthers: Yellow-Orange Group 17A in coloration. Anther size:            approximately 1.2 mm in length on average and approximately            0.9 mm in width on average. Filament number: commonly            approximately 37 on average. Filament size: approximately            4.2 mm in length on average and approximately 0.7 mm in            width on average. Filament color: Yellow-Green Group 145B.            Pistils: approximately 15 on average, and are separate and            free. Stigmas: Yellow-Green Group 151A in coloration. Stigma            size: approximately 0.9 mm in length on average and            approximately 0.6 mm in width on average. Styles:            Yellow-Green Group 154B in coloration. Style size:            approximately 5.4 mm in length on average and approximately            0.9 mm in width on average. Receptacle: urn-shaped,            glabrose, at bud break approximately 5 mm in length on            average and approximately 4.3 mm in width on average, and            Yellow-Green Group 144A in coloration with Greyed-Purple            Group 183B on the side exposed to the sun. Hips: obovate in            configuration, approximately 1 cm in length and            approximately 8 mm in width. No hips are available for            further characterization. Seeds: medium beige in coloration            and approximately 3 mm in length.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Vigorous, compact and dense.        -   Blooming.—Substantially continuous, everblooming.        -   Resistance to diseases.—Highly tolerant to Black Spot, and            Powdery Mildew.        -   Hardiness zone.—U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone Nos. 4 to 9.

1. A new and distinct variety of landscape shrub rose plantcharacterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a)exhibits a compact and bushy growth habit, (b) forms on a substantiallycontinuous basis in clusters attractive double deep pink blossoms with awhite eye, (c) forms attractive semi-glossy medium green foliage, (d) ishighly tolerant to Black Spot and Powdery Mildew, and (e) isparticularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation inparks and gardens; substantially as herein shown and described.